Inner sole



Dec. 3, 1929. c PROUTY 1,737,682

I NNER SOLE Filed June 13, 1928 275 6%91-6' ea Ki /0 u Al r14,

Patented Dec- 3, 1929 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES N. PROUTY, OF SPENCER, MASSACHUSETTS INN ER SOLE Application filed June 13,

This invention relates to an innersole for a welted shoe.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a construction of innersole which will permit of the use of a piece of leather for the sole of very much less thickness than is ordinarily used, and secure the necessary strength and rigidity by a means considerably less expensive than the leather, and at the same time retain all the wearing qualities of the grade of leather used; also to provide a combination of leather innersole, canvas lining, and reinforcement of such arrangement that the sole will be just as good as if made of a piece of leather of the same grade and of practically twice the thickness.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan of a complete innersole constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and 26 Fi 3 is a plan view of the reinforcing mem er.

In accordance with this invention, I make the leather innersole 10 of a high grade of leather but of only about half the thickness 30 of the innersole as usually constructed. It is channeled at 11 in the usual way to provide the usual channelflap. 13 and is provided on its upper side with a reinforcement 12 consisting of a piece of paper board of strong character.

This reinforcement is cut out around its periphery so as to be spaced from the channel and not project into it and not come close at any point to the up-turned channel flap 13 which is turned up when the channel is formed. This reinforcement is cemented or otherwise secured to the upper surface of the sole of the shoe and spaced from the flap as stated. Over these parts is placed the usual 4 canvas facing or inner-lining. It is extended clear to the flapand is cemented to the reinforcement, and also is turned up all around its edge and cemented to the flap or gummed. It constitutes a part of the upturned feather portion and the stitches for securing the upper 1928. Serial No. 285,144.

are brought through clear down to the upper surface of the innersole. This is possible on account of the fact that the reinforcement does not extend out in position to interfere with these stitches. They are formed close to the surface of the innersole as is the case with a sole made entirely of leather. When sewed, these stitches stretch the canvas over the reinforcement to form a smooth surface thereover.

In wear, it is found that this reinforcement, being formed of a heavy grade of paper or paste-board, is comparatively rigid, and bemg secured to the innersole and to the canvas will retain its rigidity through a long period of wear, thus causing the sole to wear like a full leather sole and reducing the expense of manufacture materially. There is nothing about the sole to show that it is provided with such a reinforcement and even after long wear this fact does not appear. The insole does not deteriorate any more rapidly than an ordinary sole of the same quality of leather of practically twice the thickness. The upper is sewed to it at the same point as usual and the shoe is of a high quality as far as the sole is concerned.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of the invention I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any erson skilled in the art without departing fi'om the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the exact form shown, but What I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a welt innersole comprising a leather portion of a comparatively thin structure and having the usual cut channel around the edge and provided with a reinforcing layer of paper material secured to the innersole and spaced around its edges from the channeled portion thereof throughout its periphery to provide a space entirely around it for sewing the upper to the innersole and receiving the stitches at the level of the bottom of said reinforcing layer.

2. As an artcle of manufacture, an innersole comprising a thin leather portion having a channel around the edge and provided with a reinforcing layer of paper material secured to the surface of the innersole and spaced from the channel throughout its periphery to provide a space for sewing the upper to the innersole and receiving the stitches at the level ofthe top of the innersole, and a layerof canvas over the entire inner portion of the innersole cemented to the reinforcement and to the inside of the channel flap 10 throughout the periphery thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CHARLES N. PROUTY. 

